Analie Course: Analie was a student of the arts in the University, who defended Representationalism against her rival, Wildrun Thorseau. She was accused of coconspiring and attempting to murder Professor Mariane Taper (for the second time). Analie is a young human with long blonde hair and blue eyes, impatient and outspoken.
Andre La Motte: The poet whose book was switched with Anthony Cahiers'. A regular at the Marianrose Conservatorium, La Motte's reading was rudely interrupted by Philip flinging himself bodily over the podium at him (in order to prevent a conjuration under the guise of poetry).
Sorcerer-Obtestari Anthony Cahiers: Anthony is a severe, eccentric conjurer with a taste for flash and show. Intimidating in both dress and manner, Cahiers affects cobalt dreadlocks tipped in gold rings and talismans, and wears ornate purple robes adorned with varioius (presumably magical) ornaments. He has all of his spellbooks bound in d'Urbec's bindery. ("Similarity is vital. everything must be in harmonious alignment. The details always matter. Don't you agree?"). Has a raven familiar, "Mevernore," of the famous castle rooks.
Brother Anthony (Tony) Rose: A human scholar and lay brother in the Reliquarium, who works as a Head Scribe and has the duty of knowing and collecting stories and myths relevant to the lost deities whose images and relics are collected in that vast museum. His love for storytelling makes him something of a gossip, but a good-natured one. Like his younger brother Timothy Rose, he is good-looking, but his black hair is tied back into a ponytail, and his grey eyes are hidden behind spectacles. The BRC discovered that he is a "half-vampire" like his brother and sister. The Nine Punishments tried to kill him and Timothy, and both have dropped of sight, slain or hiding.
Sorceror Arcady DuBaton: A gaunt, muscular mage with a bright pink streak through his hair who always sports a sneer, a cigarette, and an attitude, DuBaton works in Dockside with the guard, and likes it. Has a scoffing, careless attitude, wears bright, lower-class clothes, and rides a phantom steed. ("Illegal?")
Ardwin Jacquee: A young, dark-haired human student of the arts, specializing in the enamals of Bahr al'Raml, Ardwin was accused of the (first and fatal) murder of the Dean of Art, Professor Taper.
Balthasar Drake: An older, muscular human with his grey hair cut army-short, and black eyes, Balthasar's scars and limp clearly mark him as a career soldier fallen on hard times. He ended up in Maddock the Knife's gang, but refused to get involved in the kidnapping of Philip's sister and cousin, to the point of defending the girls from Maddock and Jake. That and his protectiveness toward Little George and Kay betray a soft spot in his otherwise war-hardened nature. He holds antiaristocratic, antisatamharanthu views, and doesn't seem afraid to air them.
Benedict: A young, black-haired, violet-eyed beggar-turned-thief who fell in love with Marie-Catherine after hearing her play music through the locked doors of the Tower of Lizards. He is mute and crippled, his parents having cut out his tongue and broken both of his legs when he was a child to facilitate his begging career. His upper body is strong from supporting his weight on two crutches, but his legs are twisted and useless, and he walks slowly and awkwardly. Clearly educated (although nobody has found out who educated him), Benedict writes his messages on a slate and appears to be good-humored about his physical shortcomings—except when he considers how Marie-Catherine must feel about them. He has a pet cobble lizard, "Drake," a partner in crime. Benedict currently works as the Black Rose Company's administrative assistant, modeling himself after Lord Finster's Shaze d'Angeli.
Master Doorkeeper Cadmium Narcissus: The doorkeeper to the Chantry, tower of the Watchful Order. A stern, long-faced human with deep-set green eyes and short-trimmed, slicked-back, dishwater-blond hair, Cadmium has no other life goal than to keep the elite interior of the Chantry shielded from the crass intrusions of loud, bumbling mundanes (that means you). He wears rich, soft robes beneath his Order cloak, and his fingers glitter with jeweled, rune-carved rings. He's seen it all, and it didn't impress him the first time, either.
Cairn Siebeck: A madman cum oracle who lives with the Witch Cariole, perhaps as a slave, servant, or jester. He has dark, wild eyes and unruly dark brown hair, his thin frame raggedly clad in a torn robe over tattered breeches and a stained tunic.
Arcus-Mage Carignen Carel: Guildmistress of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. Carignan is an old woman, blue-eyed, with her grey hair covred by a rich cloth-of-gold hood. She is very wrinkled and clearly weakened by age, but the pride in her stance and in the way she wears her rich velvet mage's cloak indicates that she's nobody to trifle with. She attended the Knaves' trial to decide in the matter of illegal magic use by Cenotaph Dirge and Thacarias Pelindar, resulting in Thax's punishment of being assigned to guard duty in the Markets. During the Theophany, she was distressed by the lapse of all magic, but determined to discover the why and wherefore, and as magic has returned, she leads the study of its alterations and oddities.
The Witch Cariole: Once a handsome woman now gone to seed with old age, with greying blonde hair and sharp, narrow blue eyes. Wears rich middle- to upper-class dresses in the latest styles. Mother to Marie-Christine, Benedict's beloved. She loathes Benedict and the Black Rose Company, and only fear of the law keeps her in hand.
Chauncy th'Mort Cull: A fancily dressed, handsome human thief in charge of the gang that hangs out in Keg's Cavaliers, Dockside. Implicated in the theft of Cahier's book and the kidnapping of Ambassador Lucco, Chauncey still hasn't been brought to justice.
Dominick Black: Dark-haired, dark-eyed owner of the leather/widder bar Loup Langued, Dominick is a muscular man in his 50s with a penchant for leather. The roughest of the rough trade, and said to be very good friends with a prominent noble. He told Valere and Eyvan where to find their contact, Derek Vandross, in the Knaves investigation, since he doesn't believe in beating up children.
Dorandrand: An elderly, white-haired and unkempt Representationalist artist with a natural talent for magic that often manifests in his work. Dorandrand is an eccentric old misanthrope who is closely guarded by his equally elderly and ill-tempered manservant, Gevas. Dorien Ash: An old Representationalist artist who specializes in sculpting marble, Dorien has a biting sense of humor and an irritable nature. He is fond of his young student Laurelach, although their friendship is mostly of a sarcastic, needling nature. When his sculptures were vandalized at the Marianrose Conservatorium, where he keeps his studio, the Black Rose Company was called in to investigate, leading to Professor Taper's murder investigation.
Ergot Tiel: A human Realist who gives lessons at the Marianrose Conservatorium. His most prestigious pupil at the moment is probably Archon Merrar the Black, of the Tarin Tor. He has short, sandy brown hair, blue eyes, and is among the more approachable of the artists the Black Rose Company encountered during its investigations.
Fancy: A young aseku lass with long blond hair and blue eyes, dressed in slightly dirty finery, encountered in Dockside. She (really he) is apparently a whore, but one who tries to be helpful, especially to men who flatter her.
Fiaschi Thevenin: A dark-haired, blue-eyed duelist with a taste in clothing that runs to the fantastic. Fought and lost a brief first-blood duel with Valere for some (unnamed) lady's entertainment. Accepted his defeat (and Valere's gift of a new shirt) with the cheerful good humor that is his trademark.
Jasmine Malait: A Realist painter who sometimes joins Spikenard at his impromptu art salons, Jasmine is in her twenties, with short black hair, blue eyes, and a slight build. She went out with Halkem a few nights during the Black Rose Company's investigation into the art vandalisms, but after he became a vampire he let the budding relationship drop.
Laurelach: A human woman who founded the "Realist" school of artistry to irritate her friend Dorien, with whom she shares a house. Laurelach is nice-looking, with long blonde hair, green eyes, and a slightly tilted-up nose.
Little George: A young aseku child with short blond hair, blue eyes, and a scar running down the left side of his face, Little George was one of Maddock the Knife's gang, although he seemed to have taken no part in the kidnapping and kept the girl Kay out of trouble during the fight. Later, was in the Keg's Cavaliers and recognized Valere from the previous encounter, warning Chauncey th'Mort Cull and enabling the thief to make good his escape. He's a child taking the wrong path through life, with nobody to help him change his ways.
Gules Dragon: A slight magus, elegantly but conservatively dressed, with a shock of light brown hair and interested hazel eyes, Gules affects a noble's rapier and an amused, knowing air. Gules runs the "House of Gules Dragon," a boarding house for magicusing friends and an extremely select salon—the salon in Cislunar. He cheerfully discussed Cariole's history with Philip, Vair, and Eyvan over breakfast, and is a patron of the arts with no particular preference for Realism or Representationalism, although he does like Dorandrand's work. Gules helped the BRC, when they were vampires, by explaining Persifal's experiments to them. He is a flamer, but an extremely influential and good-hearted one, and a favorite at court.
Iron Fist Jake: One of the kidnappers who captured Philip's sister and cousin, Jake is a large human with greasy black hair tied back in a ponytail, narrow blue eyes, and a muscular build. He and the whore Gwennie were released with a flogging and imprisonment with hard labor, while their ringleader, Maddock the Knife, was beheaded. He escaped during the earthquakes that rocked Cislunar and hasn't been seen since.
"Giovanni" Jiovaniki Ejemekuru Pamba Ne Sijarwe, Shetwe Clan: Giovanni is Lucco's bodyguard, a thin and rather nasty-looking kobkode with one eye, sporting an eyepatch over the lost one. He was gravely injured rescuing Lucco, and was healed by Halkem's arts. Upon discovering Halkem's facility with his native tongue, Giovanni solemnly embraced the human and declared him to be a friend and ally.
Kay: A little aseku girl with long silver hair and amber eyes, Kay apparently worked in Maddock the Knife's gang as a child prostitute. Sweet-natured, Kay appeared fond of both Little George and Balthasar Drake, but seems content living with Philip's aunt, Lady Ketlavna, learning to act like a young lady.
Larkspur the Leech: A middle-aged, balding, bespectacled alchemist who works as a chiurgeon for the Southgate/Dockside neighborhoods. Larkspur dabbled in this and that and is constantly experimenting with new ways to cure diseases...unfortunately, he tends to experiments on his patients, and doesn't always bother to get their permission first. Larkspur was responsibe for turning the Bellman Gyles Thatcher into the manbat who attacked and infected young Lyndon Melshimber. The guards fined and warned him. ("It should have worked. I know the formula was right. I don't understand what could have gone wrong.")
Legrande d'Urbec: Publisher and bookbinder to, among others, House Masoch and the conjurer Anthony Cahiers. Responsible for begging Vair to help him find Cahier's misplaced spellbook.
Lord Llewellyn Finster Jhansczil: Five-foot-nine, wiry, with a shock of red hair and intense green eyes, Finster is chief investigator in the Ministry of Justice and a common sight at the scene of a crime, stalking up and down the room with his heavy woolen greatcloak flapping loose behind him as he thinks aloud to his assistant, Shaze d'Angeli. He has been nicknamed "The Red Ferret" by the criminal class, and is referred to with a sniff and lifted eyebrows by most of the aristocracy. Finster has one son, Christopher Robin, and a chequered past. He was badly injured by Alured Tesper, head of the Knaves of Hearts, and nearly died. He has been the BRC's advisor and protector, helping them even when they were vampires, although he did use the information they unwittingly provided him to purge Cislunar of most of its other vampiric denizens. After the BRC was cured, Finster claimed to the city that he'd sent them undercover on assignment, thus relieving them of any explanations for their long absences.
Louis Sabre: Chief accountant of the Osier St. Financial Services; kept Altair Dusk's accounts and currently manages Minimin's inheritance from Dusk. A well-spoken, neatly dressed human who seems competent despite his company's poor address.
Ambassador "Papa Lucco" Lukori Nopa Ndahnzaa Ne Mbeto Kobkode, Hyena Clan: The kobkode ambassador, living in Greypinion Palace with most of the other ambassadors to Cislunar, including Shrike. He dresses in ornate Cislunarite clothing, right down to the high ruffled collar, and keeps his chambers oppressively well-heated. Lucco has been the master of the kobkode connection in Cislunar for years, although his recent kidnapping at the hands of an underling, "Tony" Tonake Igbo Pacco Ne Ndake Kobkode, and a human thief, Chauncey th'Mort Cull, has left him a more cuatious kobkode by far.
Lyndon Melshimber: Eleven-year-old Melshimber heir, Lyndon has a sense of high drama slightly tempered by having been turned into a manbat (he was eventually cured ... it's hoped). His sister, Iana, is nine, and as stubborn as a mule. His youngest brother, Sibert, is a quiet tagalong prone to sucking on his fingers.
Marie-Catherine Lightcaller: Daughter of the Witch Cariole and the Magus Lord Adrian Lightcaller, Marie-Catherine was locked up in the Tower of Lizards all her life and knows the world only through her books and tales told her by her mother or Benedict. She is a small, slight girl with long brown hair, a conventionally pretty face, and a pleasing manner. Freed by the Black Rose Company and Benedict, she is still exploring the world. Although Benedict is still madly in love with her, it is unclear whether she feels anything more than a close friendship with him.
Archon Merrar the Black: A slight aseku who represented the Tarin Tor to all official gatherings, Merrar's long black hair has a white streak through it just like his commander Seit Nigira's. He spoke at the Knaves' trial and took art lessons from the Realist Ergot Tiel, who says the Tarin Tor officer has fine technical talent but no spirit. Merrar also attended plays regularly and often asked Vair about characters' motives. He survived the Theophany and has become a valuable member of Lament's court, advising it on matters that concern the remaining Tarin Tor and possible repercussions from the Iron Autocracy.
Marquis Filius-Secundus Michel Francis Thongolir: Amandiel and Nicholas' youngest brother, Michel has light brown hair and eyes and is currently studying as an apprentice in the Watchful Order.
Minimin Trask: A young former apprentice mage with black hair and eyes, of average build and looks, known throughout the Order for being unmotivated and listless. He was Dusk's primary beneficiary but is apparently incapable of managing money. Minimin took work with Valere Hunabar and took Dusk's feline fammiliar, Thief, as his own. Since the Theophany his studies have slacked off again.
Myarnil: A young human Realist artist with curly blond hair and hazel eyes, Myarnil has an attitude and is known as one of the more rabble-rousing of the young but established artists in Cislunar. Myarnil was arrested after throwing paint at Dorandrand's house and subsequently getting into a knife-fight with Thyrolar. He claims Thyrolar drew first, but not even Myarnil's friends believe it.
Marquis Filius-Primus Nicholas Cacoferasce Thongolir: Amandiel and Michel's older brother, Nicholas is heir to the Thongolir interests, a young fighter with long black hair and green eyes. Since the Theophany he has taken vows as a cavalier to the temple of Vair, and there are rumors that he will eventually step down as heir and give his birthright to Amandiel. The loss of his boyfriend, Eyvan Majarra, seems to have left him restless and ready to leave the city.
Patti: The incredibly attractive girl working behind the counter at Robab's Fish Market, Dockside; she has large, deep brown eyes, flawless skin, and long golden-brown hair that curls over her shoulders. Rumor has it that her husband is a ferocious military general serving overseas, but he hasn't been seen since the Theophany (or even before it), and her suitors are getting bolder.
Raphael Bellegarde: An older bodyguard in the employ of Witch Cariole, with short, greying black hair and dark brown eyes. Wears utilitarian dress and chainmail, with a badge indicating that he is a registered bodyguard. Mute, and reputed to have thwarted some of the Witch's plots in the past, Raphael only fought the Black Rose Company to the extent necessary to defend Cariole, and carried her unconscious (and heavy!) body away after the Tower's breach.
Chief Justice Care Reglan Mirrinis: A well-built human with brown eyes and short, dark hair, mustache and beard, who wears simple but rich noble's clothing. He presided over the Knaves trial and over Raventree v. Raventree.
Robespierre Chanticleer: The spokesman for the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, a diviner whose job it is to negotiate between the mages and the mundanes.
Rudior & Hubertillac: Two gargoyle scholars living in the cheaper parts of Southgate, who assisted the BRC in discovering who had stolen the gargoyles' wings, and also helped them after they became vampires. Both are large, humanoid, and, despite their stated academic goals, apparently as dumb as a rock.
Seidr: Seen briefly at the Marianrose Conservatorium several times, Seidr is a fair-haired, very handsome half-aseku reputed to be the leader of a gang called the Cards and a psychopath. He is also a collector of Realist art.
Shaze d'Angeli: Slender, with light brown hair and hazel eyes, d'Angeli is Lord Finster's clerk, steward, friend, and sidekick, responsible for the executive end of Finster's investigations. He lives in Finster's house but is usually found working in the Ministry of Justice (office 332), trying to put Finster's papers in order. D'Angeli wears simple but well-made garb and is of common birth. His features indicate that there is a strong strain of aseku in his background.
Sword Sinister Sterlon: A well-built Dargonath human in the Tarin Tor, with a blue streak across his face and thick black hair drawn back in a ponytail. Sterlon prides himself on his swordplay and good taste. He was an undercover agent for the Tarin Tor in the Knaves of Hearts, and spent his time during the BRC's raid cutting off Pip's buttons. All charges against him were dropped, and Pip has disliked him ever since.
Spikenard: A young human Realist painter with dark hair swept back from his face and thoughtful brown eyes. He runs a sort of "salon" at the Rose and Locket with younger and less talented artists who look up to him.
Tamarisk Samphire: A human practictioner of the new Lumen style of art from Saldon. He is nominally a member of the Representationalist school, although some argue he has Realist leanings. Tamarisk is young, with shoulder-length brown hair and Byronic good looks.
Terese Meyer: A young actress in the Red Bull theater down in the lower Markets, Terese helped the Black Rose Company capture Ardwin Jacquee. Terese has long blonde hair and big blue eyes, and seemed to like the looks of Lord Philip.
Ambassador Thacarias Pelindar: Thax was somewhat tall but nondescript, with shortish, unkempt blond hair and blue eyes. An illusionist living in Southgate, he wore lower-class clothing under his Order robe and scraped to get by. For some reason he became ambassador for the Free Gargoyles of Cislunar, and lived with the tiny, talkative Griegor and the larger, fierce, mute Vladimir. For a while Thax worked the night shift as guardmage in the Market Ward, before becoming vampirized with the rest of the BRC. The change seemed to have a terrible effect on him, and he became increasingly wolfish and bloodthirsty. After Vladimir's death, Thax seemed to give up hope of becoming human again, and he was turned to stone and partially devoured by a gorgon while helping the BRC take a castle. His body was reclaimed by the gargoyles, who deeply mourned his final death.
Thyrolar: An up-and-coming Representationalist, Thyrolar is a sharp-featured aseku from Candor who affects a jeweled earring, high-class clothes and a prickly temper. Thyrolar was protecting Dorandrand's house when Myarnil threw paint at the door, and was arrested in the ensuing knife-fight.
Timothy Rose: A human scholar and tutor to the Melshimber children, who was suspected by them of being a vampire. As it happens, they were half-correct; like his brother Tony, he is partially undead. He is handsome in a patrician manner, with shoulder-length black hair and piercing grey eyes. Like his brother, he is currently missing.
Templar Verdiant: An elegant, well-mannered aseku templar with long blond hair and one violet eye (the other is covered with a crimson eyepatch). Verdiant was the liasion between Shrike and the nobility and often mediated disputes between the nobles, gaining a reputation as an honest, upright arbiter. He survived the Theophany and has become a welcome member of court, where his counsel is still highly valued.
Lord Virgil Nantusset Durinbold: An elegant young human noble who runs the Marianrose Conservatorium, Virgil affects an intellectual and effete air, but has a well-hidden and merciless skill for getting money out of potential patrons of the arts. He is something of an artist himself, and has a reputation as a ladykiller.
Wildrun Thorseau: An aseku student of the arts, Wildrun defended Realist art against his arch-nemesis, the student Analie Course. Wildrun was accusted of coconspiring with Analie and attempting to murder (for the second time) Professor Mariane Taper. Wildrun is handsome, in a slight, fair-haired askeu sense, and retiring in nature.
Willard Charles: Owner of the Emerald Dome jewelers, a rich and influential human who keeps his mouth discreetly shut. He has plain, wooden features, close-cropped silvery hair, and a high brow. His ever-present companion is Peter, a spoiled, beautiful, long-haired white cat who wears a collar studded with Willard's finest diamonds. Willard carries him everywhere. Willard made Dusk's engagement ring, now worn by Amandiel as a memento of her deceased fiance.
Pleader Willem Cixous: A drow pleader who represented Lady Elianora against Lord Nandos. Slender, with a braid of white hair drawn back with ribbons, Willem wears conservative but well-tailored waistcoats and frock coats in ash or chestnut, and white hose. He and Lord Finster have opposed each other in court several times, with Willem slightly ahead in courtroom victories. Nevertheless, each holds the other in high esteem.
Barion-Filius Secundus Wycliffe Sultlue:: A young noble of no particular profession, Wycliffe is a cheerfully pretentious opium-eater who enjoys giving parties and going to Realist art showings.